William carlisle price



' (No Model.)

W. 0. PRICE.

HORSESHO-E GAGE No. 448.366. Patented Mar. 17, 1891.

HIM 1mm UNITED STATES PATENT ()rmcn.

\VILLIAM CARLISLE PRICE, OF \VOODB URN, OREGON.

HORSESHOE-GAGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 448,366, dated March 17, 1891. Application filed August 1, 1890. Serial No. 360,672. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM CARLISLE PRICE, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVoodburn, in the county of Marion and State of Oregon, have invented a new and useful Horseshoe'Gage, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to a horseshoegage; and the objects of the invention are to provide a device adapted to accurately gage the size and shape of a horses hoof and to obviate the necessity of the smith going back and forth from the anvil to the horse for the purpose of fitting the shoe to his hoof, the gage being adapted to be taken to the anvil and to have the shoe fitted thereto.

With the above objects in view the invention consists in certain features of construction hereinafter specified, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective of a gage constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is atransverse section of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail in elevation of the flexible gage-strip.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In practicing my invention I provide a shoeshaped base 1 of a size smaller than the hoof of a small horse, said base being rigid and formed of suitable metal. Openings are formed in the outer sides of the base at the toe portion of the base and at the heel portions, and between said openings are formed intermediate openings. In each of the openings is secured studs 3, preferably rectangular or oblong in cross-section, but which may be either round or otherwise shaped.

Upon each of the studs 3 is mounted a friction-disk 4, formed of rubber or any suitable material, and provided at its center with an opening 5, corresponding in shape'and size to the stud upon which it is mounted, so that the disk is adapted to be moved to any point upon the stud and remain in position by frictional contact therewith. It is obvious that the studs may be threaded and the disks provided with threaded openings and mounted thereupon, said disksin such instance amountin g merely to set-nuts.

7 designates the flexible gage-strip formed of steel and provided with opposite longitudinal slots 8, which extend from near the center of the strip to nearthe extremities thereof. That portion of the gage between the inner ends of the slots is provided with an opening 9, and through the same passes the stud 3, located at the toe portion of the base. The remaining studs, of which there are preferably sixthree on a side-pass through the slots, and the ends of the studs are then provided with the friction-disks. The width of the gage-strip is such that its upper edge projects above the upper edge of the base, as shown. The rear ends of the strip project considerably beyond the rear end of the base,

and there is mounted upon one of said endsa sliding gage sleeve or loop 11.

In employing the device the same is in verted and applied to the hoof of the horse, supported in the usual manner by the hands of the smith. The friction-disks are now pushed toward the inner ends of the studs, so that the flexible gage exactly fits the hoof and partakes of the contour thereof. The slidegage is now moved upon the end of the flexi ble gage until it touches the heel of the hoof, which indicates the length of the hoof. The device is now taken to the anvil, where the shoe is formed and fitted within the Fromthe above it will be seen that the necessity of the smith passing to and fro from the anvil to the horse for the purpose of fitting and altering the shoe is all avoided, and not only is time saved in. walking back and forth, but the shoe is prevented from becoming cooled and a reheating is therefore unnecesary after each application of the shoe. If desired, the upper edge of the flexible gag'e may be slightly flared, so as to permit of a ready introduction of the shoe within the same.

I prefer to fasten the band securely to the toe-disk, so'that the same will move with the disk. However, such is not, perhaps, absolutely necessary to the operation of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a gage of the class described, the co1nbination, with a base havinga series of radiating studs and adjusting-disks mounted on the studs, of a flexible gage-strip mounted within and embraced by the studs, substantially as specified.

2. In a gage of the class described, the combination, with a central base, of a series of radiating studs, friction-disks mounted on the studs, and a flexible gage-strip curved and inserted between the disks and having its upper edge extending above the base, substantially as specified.

I11 a gage of the class described, the combination, with a central base, of a series of radiating studs, and a series of adjusting-disks mounted on the studs, of a flexible gage-strip longitudinally slotted to loosely receive the studs and mounted between the sides of the base and the inner faces of the disks, substantially as specified.

- at. In a gage of the class described, the corn bination, with a central horseshoe-shaped disk,'0pposite heel, toe, and intermediate radiating studs and disks mounted for sliding upon and having frictional contact with the studs, of a flexible gage-strip provided With opposite longitudinal slots extending from each side of its center to near the extremities, said slots receiving the heel and inter.- mediate studs and provided With a central opening for the reception of the toe-stud, substantially as specified.

5. In a gage of the class described, the combin ation, with a central base having radiating studs, adjustingdisks mounted on the studs, and a flexible gage-strip bentand sprung between the studs, of a gage sleeve or loop mounted upon one of the terminals of the strip, substantially as specified.

6. In a gage, the combination, With the base and an encircling flexible gage-strip, of combined strip supporting and adjusting devices extending from the base, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aifixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JACOB OGLE, CHARLES GIBBS. 

